The fierce rivals will do battle in a NAB Cup qualifying final at Etihad Stadium on Friday night in a preview of round one of the Toyota AFL Premiership season.
"From our point of view it's great that we're playing a good side," Kelly told a media conference at AFL House on Thursday.
"We can test our structures and our systems that we've been working on with Chris Scott all pre-season.
"It's good that it's St Kilda. We know them pretty well. We know how they're going to attack and defend, so it's a good way to practice for when we meet them in round one."
With James Podsiadly ruled out of the Geelong line-up due to a broken hand and Jimmy Bartel sidelined by illness, Kelly will be one of the older players out on the park for the Cats.
"It's getting a bit that way, especially with Pods out it brings our average age down a bit," he said.
"It's a good thing for the club that we've got so many young players who are getting experience at the highest level.
"A few of our first-year boys were pretty good on the weekend and they might get another opportunity, which is good for the club and good for their personal development."
Bartel is recuperating after having his tonsils removed earlier in the week.
"Jimmy's fine," Kelly said.
"He was planning to get them out for a while but this was his only opportunity to do it.
"It's unfortunate that he has to miss a game or two but he's fine. He's sitting back eating ice cream at home."
James Kelly is a $392,200 midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition
